(CNN) — Cristiano Ronaldo acknowledges he didn’t expect to end the season empty-handed at Al Nassr, but the Portuguese striker says he is happy in Saudi Arabia and hopes more great players will follow him into the league next season.
Ronaldo signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Al Nassr valued by the media at over 200 million euros ($220.16 million), and made his debut in January.
He scored 14 goals in 16 games, but it wasn’t enough to help his side win the Saudi Pro League (SPL) title, with Al Nassr finishing second behind Al Ittihad.
The 38-year-old, who missed the final matchday with injury, said the league is very competitive but there are plenty of opportunities for growth.
“We have very good teams, very good Arab players, but the infrastructure needs to improve a little more. The referees, the VAR system should also be a little faster,” he said in an interview with the SPL.
“But I’m happy here, I want to stay here, I’ll stay here.”
Ronaldo said he has adapted to life at the club, although there were many differences from his time in Europe, where he played for elite sides such as Manchester United, Juventus and Real Madrid.
The Portuguese striker had to adjust to life in a new country.
“In Europe we train more in the morning and here we train in the afternoon, or at night. When Ramadan starts, we train at 10pm. It’s very strange,” he added.
Since Ronaldo’s arrival, other top players have been linked to the Saudi league, with Lionel Messi receiving a formal offer to join Al-Hilal next season.
Karim Benzema, Ronaldo’s former teammate and Ballon d’Or player, would have received an offer of over 100 million euros from Al Ittihad.
“If they come, big players and big names, young players, ‘old players’, they are welcome,” said Ronaldo.
“If that happens, the league will improve a bit. Age is not important.”
